FB: Middle Atlantic Conference

[Lyco80]

KS99,

I guess my incredulity about this scenario is seeing that Wilkes has four losses, granted only one in the MAC, how are they going to "win out" against what appears to be very stiff and even competition in conference?

I cede your point but think it unlikely a team with their won-loss record can accomplish such a feat.

Good posts and nice chat - thanks for a positive and upbeat tone.  Sometimes you just do not get that on here despite Pat's ever-watchful eye.

ATB

[Pat Coleman]

I think if you look at who Wilkes has lost too and by how much, it's not outlandish that the Colonels could run the table.

[DVCFan11]

is it safe to say that the loser of the DVC-Lyco game is out of MAC contention?

[KingSting999]

It would certainly not bode well for the loser but a loss does not eliminate either at this point. The loser would need a lot of help from other teams as well as running the table after that but definately eli,imated, no.

I honestly feel that no team can look past any of their opponents. Anyone, and I do mean anyone, can beat another MAC team this season at anytime.  The look past factor I believe played a factor in bith Lyco and DVC performances this past Saturday. I believe that they were both maybe looking past their opponent and at their showdown this week.

[BAK4LVC]

No matter who loses the DVC vs. Lyco game, there are enough land mines out there for the winner and the other teams with one loss to conceivably think that they could all lose again.  I'd say DVC's path would be tougher, with Widener, At Wilkes, and finishing with Albright.  Lyco only has one other team left in the five way tie (LVC at home to end the season), but FDU proved that they are no slouches at home.

[DVCFan11]

so who wins the MAC? whats everyone think now that weve had a huge shakeup here. i think that it will come down to Albright and DVC in the finale

[PBR...]

congrats to fdu well done...pbr couldnt make or listen to the game but has read many recaps on the game and fdu's win was well deserved by the sounds of it. the mac is WIDE open from here on out. going to be a lot of fun the next couple of weeks....and HUGE game this weekend in williamsport. especially since it holds bragging rights as pbr's sister and cousins graduated from lyco so for turkey day in just over a month pbr truly hopes dvc takes care of business!!!

[BAK4LVC]

As for winning the MAC, I still have to give the edge to Delaware Valley.  I still think they are the most complete team, and unless Isgro isn't 100% (I know he got tweaked against LVC and statistically didn't look right against FDU), he gives them an edge, much like Matt Campbell did for Widener last year.  I had Albright at the beginning of the season, but they just don't seem right offensively.  Where is the explosiveness of a year ago?  Alston (their return man) has become their biggest weapon.  I'm not sure what to think of Lycoming yet, but their toughest two games (on paper) are both at home.  I just don't see them beating DVC.  I just can't see Wilkes running the remaining slate, and in what I saw when LVC played them, I was far from impressed.  LVC has a shot with a road game at King's before home games with Albright and FDU (all winnable), then ending at Lycoming.  They will have to show me they can finish games off, which they haven't shown yet. 

[G-manWU]

First, hats off to the LVC and FDU fanbases on some very good wins this weeekend- first time LVC has beaten Widener since the infamous 3-0 game in the downpour back in '04. On the same hand, Widener and DVC are far from out of contention, and the game in Williamsport this weekend will indeed be a great matchup.

Turning to the game in Edwardsville this past weekend, the Colonels put together a solid overall ballgame in knocking off the Warriors for the third time in the last 4 matchups. Lycoming did dominate early, with Dwyer getting all day to throw and moving the ball on big pass plays over the middle. As the game went on, however, the Lyco offense sputtered with some drops and incompletions that could have kept the game in their court. On the other side of the ball, Wilkes managed to get some production out of the running game and found some offensive balance that should serve them well in the weeks to come. Also, it was great for fans and staff on both sides to see both Coach Girardi and Rob Curry in the stands at Ralston Field- both men command tremendous respect among Coach Shep and the Wilkes staff.

In terms of weak points, if Wilkes is going to win any more games, the D-line MUST get more pressure on the QB- no offense to the Lyco O-line on a job well done, but if the Wilkes front four dosen't kick it into gear this week, Kelly and Roming will cut the defense to ribbons on the turf in Reading.

Lyco80- First, I don't know if you read one of my earlier posts, but my credit to you for your outstanding military service. As I said in that post, I have never served in the military, but did gain a deep appreciation for all of the armed services from my years in the USNSCC (a program you must be familliar with) when I was younger.

In terms of the fumble, I was at the game and while the play was not right in front of me, the ball did pop out when the RB met the defenders going over the pile. After the game, some of the Wilkes players credited the play to game-planning and scouting of the move- Coach Shep always dose a great job of pointing out the opportunities to rip or punch out the ball during the week, and that was a prime spot to force a turnover.

I don't know if any of the Lyco faithful were looking ahead to this week and forgetting about one-win Wilkes, but the Colonels never quit when times get tough. In terms of the non-conference schedule, Wilkes has played three quality opponents in Muhlenburg, Montclair State and CNU- while I don't know if Wilkes can run the table, I know that they aren't going to roll over for anyone as the season gose on.

On a final note, I must point out that of the five Lycoming interceptions, three were picked off by second-year defensive back Kevin Gerhart. Last season, Kevin suffered a severe foot injury in the season finale against Widener that placed his playing career in doubt, but he has stormed back to pick up  exactly where he left off. Every D3 team has at least a handful of players who have overcome difficult injuries and circumstances to succede on the field and in the classroom, and a saturday was a great example of one such student-athlete completing a fantastic comeback.

[D3FBFan55]

Question for FDU or Del Val fans.  The game between these two teams was originally scheduled for a Friday night at 7PM.  Any idea why it was switched to a Saturday afternoon?

[bill]

D3FB fan

The game was going to be played on Friday night (we get a WAY bigger turnout for games then), and Del Val's AD was OK with this (there still are some teams that won't play Fri nights). However, The Del Val head coach was not in favor of this - he refused to play us on Friday night. I have to say I'm now glad that he did so!

[Warren Thompson]

D3FB fan

The game was going to be played on Friday night (we get a WAY bigger turnout for games then), and Del Val's AD was OK with this (there still are some teams that won't play Fri nights). However, The Del Val head coach was not in favor of this - he refused to play us on Friday night. I have to say I'm now glad that he did so!

Any idea why the DVC coach put the kibosh on a Friday night game v. FDU?

[Knightstalker]

D3FB fan

The game was going to be played on Friday night (we get a WAY bigger turnout for games then), and Del Val's AD was OK with this (there still are some teams that won't play Fri nights). However, The Del Val head coach was not in favor of this - he refused to play us on Friday night. I have to say I'm now glad that he did so!

Any idea why the DVC coach put the kibosh on a Friday night game v. FDU?

The drive to and from Florham Park on a friday, especially the drive there would be a nightmare.

[Warren Thompson]

D3FB fan

The game was going to be played on Friday night (we get a WAY bigger turnout for games then), and Del Val's AD was OK with this (there still are some teams that won't play Fri nights). However, The Del Val head coach was not in favor of this - he refused to play us on Friday night. I have to say I'm now glad that he did so!

Any idea why the DVC coach put the kibosh on a Friday night game v. FDU?

The drive to and from Florham Park on a friday, especially the drive there would be a nightmare.

You don't say ... Friday night traffic in Jersey is bad? 

[bill]

KnightStalker

I've heard the traffic thing used as an excuse before, but I have to call "BS" on that excuse.
Let's take Del Val. If they go Route 202 to Route 287 North, they'll actually be driving away from traffic.

Same with any of the schools that travel on Route 80 or 78 towards FDU.
Is there traffic in NJ? Of course.

That all being said, the reason I say the traffic excuse is ridiculous is the timing. Kickoff on a Friday night game is 7:00. Most coaches - if not all coaches - HAVE to have their team at the venue AT LEAST 2 hours before the game.  That puts a team arriving at FDU at no later than 5:00.  Traffic at 3:00 or 4:00 is nowhere near as bad as it is from 5-7. The team would already be at the field by the time traffic really picks up!

FDU has a big game at Widener Friday night. Game time is at 7:00. We'll probably have to leave no later than 3:00, and we're going to have to travel on Rt 95. Might there be traffic? Yes, but I remain convinced that a Friday night game - in this area or theirs - will allow for a great experience and maximum fan attendance.